Popular UTSA-area hangout reopens after months of being shuttered due to COVID-19

Hills & Dales Icehouse, a popular spot in the UTSA area, is reopening after months of being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The bar, along with sister spots Babcock Social Spot and On the Rocks Pub, were some of the first to voluntarily close as COVID-19 cases were beginning to spike in June. At that point, owner Justin Vitek said “Sometimes it is better to lose and do the right thing than to win and do the wrong thing.”

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Two months later, Hills & Dales and Babcock Social Pub are back in operation as of 2 p.m. Friday thanks to a new rule by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commision.

In a July 30 statement, TABC threw a lifeline to bars to be reclassified as a restaurant if their alcohol sales were less than 51 percent of their overall sales from April to the end of July. Bars have been closed since June 26, when Gov. Greg Abbott ordered them to shut down in response to a statewide COVID-19 spike.

According to social media promotions, Hills & Dales and Babcock Social Pub are already open. Posts for each bar ask customers to purchase at least one food item to ensure the businesses are able to maintain their food to alcohol sales ratio.

Updated COVID-19 guidelines include a mask requirement when entering the building and walking around, like to use the restroom. Guests may remove their masks when eating or drinking at their tables, which will seat a maximum of 6 people.

It’s unclear if Vitek’s downtown bar, On the Rocks, will reopen.

Hills & Dales is located at 15403 White Fawn Drive. Babcock Social Pub is at 5891 Babcock Road.

Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | [email protected] | @maddyskye

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